Torque converter



Nov. 27, 1945. E. A. STALKER TORQUE CONVERTER Original Filed Jan. 29,1941 Nov. 27, 1945. E, A. STALKER TORQUE CONVERTER Original Filed Jan.29, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 [NVENTOQ kg. 321 aumtMfiz/b Nov. 27, 1945. E.A. STALKER 2,389,826

TORQUE CONVERTER Original Filed Jan. 29, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Nov. 27,1945. E. A. STALKER TORQUE CONVERTER Original Filed Jan. 29, 1941 4Sheets-Sheet 4 [NVENTOQ Patented Nov. 27, 1945 TORQUE CONVERTER EdwardA. Stalker, Bay City, Mich.

Substituted for abandoned application Serial No. 376,489. January 29,1941. This application November 17, 1943, Serial No. 510,588

20 Claims.

"This application concerns a torque converter of the same type as thatof my application Serial No. 324,677, died March 18, 1940, but differsfrom it in providing a more effective mechanism for controlling thegyroscopes.

It is a substitute application for my abandoned application SerialNumber 376,489, entitled "Torque converters," and filed January 29,1941.

My invention relates to variabl speed transmission and particularly thattype which can maggfy; the torque and which has an infinite num' r ofspeed ratios, and its objects are first to provide an efficient torqueconverter automatically capable of dividing the power available into theproper torque and angular velocity of the driven shaft; second toprovide a torque converter having a rigid gyroscope: third to providemeans to deliver power from a driving element to a driven element bymeans of a gyroscopic element.

I attain these objects by the means illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the preferred torqueconverter:

Figure 2 is a fragmentary section through the machine along the line 2-2in Figure 1:

Figur 2a is a fragmentary section taken along the line 22 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary section alOng line I! in Figure 2;

Figure 3a is a section through the shell II to show the spider l9;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary section along line 4-4 in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary section of the gyroscope along line 5! inFigure 2 with some associated parts;

Figure 5a is a section along the line Bat-5a in Figure 5b:

Figure 5b is a section taken along line Sb-ib in Figure 5;

Figure 5c is a side view of the eccentric 24;

Figure 5d pertains to the theory;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary axial section of an alternat form ofgyroscope;

Figure 7 is a section along the line 1--1 in Figure 6;

Figure 7a. is a fragmentary section taken along line la-1a in Figure 7Figure 8 is a side view of the gyroscope shaft and hub;

Figure 9 pertains to the theory.

In the figures the driving shaft is i and the driven shaft is 2. Fixedto the shaft l is the yoke 3 in which are home the shafts 4 and 5. Toshaft 5 is fixed the gear 8 in mesh with the gear I which is restrainedfrom turning when the shaft 2 is restrained. The shaft 4 is fixed toyoke I, as shown in Figures 2a and 4 by the key is, but shaft 6 turns inthe yoke 3 and bearing do.

when the shaft I is rotated the gear 6 rolls on gear i and spins thegyroscopes 8 by means of the gears ii and ID. The gyroscopes aresupported by the shell H having fixed to it the gear II. It is in meshwith the gear I! fixed to the driven shaft 2. Gear 9 is fixed to shaft 5and ear ID to shaft II.

A gyroscope has a spin axis about which it spins and a torque input axistransverse to the spin axis about which the y oscope can be tilted-orrotated. As a result of the tilt about the toroue input axis thegyroscope exerts a torque about a third axis perpendicular to the othertwo 1868. This torque is called the precessional torque. It may also becalled a gyroscopic torque because it arises from the action of thegyroscope.

Rotation of the driving shaft i spins each gyroscope about the axis ofits shaft (IL-l, "-2, "-3, "-4). Since a gyroscope, A for instance. inFigure 3 is being turned also about the axis of shaft l (the torqueinput axis) there is a precessional torque tending to turn thisgyroscope in the direction T (Figures 2 and 3). A gyroscope in position0 however will tend to give an unfavorable precessional torque, oppositeto T. Gyroscope B and D will give small torques. In other words for agyroscope in the range DAB the torque is in the direction of T while forBC!) the torque tends to be opposite to '1. If the shell ii and gear I!are to have a net torque in the direction T the gyroscopes passingthrough the range DAB (Figure 3) must predominate in torque over thegyroscopes passing through the range BCD. If the net torque of thegyroscopes is such as to turn the shell ii and gear i2 always in onedirection, it is said that the shell ii and gear I! are subject to aunidirectional torque.

The shaft 5 can be rotated relative to shaft 4 because the latter has aprojection of small diameter rotatably fitting into a bearing in the endof 5. See Figure 6.

If the gyroscopic torque applied to gear I! is to be unidirectional thegyroscopes should be controlled to accomplish this end. For thegyroscope in position A in Figure 3 the direction of the gyroscopictorque is indicated by the arrow T. It can be readily shown however,that the torque of the gyroscope in position C is opposite to that of A.

Hence if the gyroscope at C is permitted to act onthesheliilitwiilowosethetorqueofthe gyroscope at A.

This diihculty is eliminated by allowing the gyroscope atCtotiltsothatitcannot exerta counter-torque.

Theshaftl isheldfixedrelativetothe yoke! bykeylaandhasacranklbintegralwlth it. Thuswhen theshell ll andthe gyroscope; rotateabouttheaxisofl thecrank imposes anoscillating or tilting motion on thegyroscopes.

The mechanism to accomplish the tilting is best described in connectionwith Figures 5 and 5a where the gyroscope I is shown running onantifriction bearings ll borne in the hub "and in the gyroscope I. Thehub is hinge supported on theclevis llhymeansofthepins ll. Thegyroscopehas a suiiiciently wide hole through it to accommodate shaft II andpermit the gyroscope to tilt. H

The clevis I! is part of the spider I! which is supported on the shell ii as shown in Figure 3a.

The shaft II has integral with it a spherical segment and projectingfrom it the pin Ila which slide in grooves II?) as indicated in Figure5. Thus the shaft it when turned by gear II can rotate the 8 and it isfree to tilt about the axis of the pins II.

The degree of tilt of the gyroscopes is determined by the lever 12 fixedto the hub ll-and attached by the connecting rod 23 to the eccentricring segment rotatable in the eccentric 24. The rod 23 is hingedconnected to the ring segment 25 at one end and connected to the lever22 by a ball and socket joint as shown in Figure 5.

Of the four ring segments the master one 25a is fixed to the eccentric24, as shown in Figure 5c, by the screws 25b. The other ring segments 25have at one end shoes which slide within grooves Ila within 24 as shownin Figures 5 and 5c. These shoes have only a slight peripheral slip toaccommodate the motion of the fixed segment "a which would have anoscillating motion of smaller amplitude relative to the other ringsegments.

The lengths of all three connecting rods are the same and consequentlydetermine the settin of the gyroscopes relative to each other. Thus ifthe axis of symmetry of gyroscope A is set perpendicular to the axes ofshaft 4 and shaft I the other gyroscopes will have the proper degrees oftilt since the gyroscopes are similar in dimensions.

The axes of the pins It each make the angle s (Figure 2) with the axisof shaft i or with the plane of the spider l8. Every gyroscope rotatedabout the axis of shaft I into the position A assume the same attitudeas its predecessor in this position. This automatically follows from thesimilarity of the individual parts of the gyroscope and crank mechanism.l

The axis oi the pins I8 is transverse to the axis oftheshaftlbyanangiefl as shown inF'igureZ for reasons which will be statedsubsequently.

Figure 5d shows how the precessional torque from a gyroscope in positionA exerts a turning moment on gear II. The precessional torque from thegyroscope is represented as a couple Fsx according to the well-knownprinciples of mechanics. The distance between the forces 1''. and Fisxandthe productofr byxequalsthe precessional torque of the gyroscope.F; is equal to 1'' Since the gyroscope cannot tilt freelytorqueisappliedto theshell ii through the support 20 and to the spiderI! through the pins II. The actual force applied is the force 1"" whichhas the armx withrespecttotheaxis9f rotation (axis of shaft I) and hencecauses a torque about the axis oi magnitude aux. Every gyroscope cominginto the position A exerts this torque. Shell II is fixed to the gearit. The torque is transferred to the shaft 2 by the gear II.

when the gyroscope moves to position 0 it is allowed to tilt by theeccentric to such an angle that there is a significant reduction in itsgyroscopic torque.

when the gyroscope (Figure 5) is tilted its axis of spin is no longercoincident with the axis of shaft ll. IAS long as th axis of spin istransverse to the axis of the driving shaft i a gyroscopic orpreccssional torque is present on C. If however, the axis of spin shouldcoincide with that of the driving shaft the torque would be zero. It isa maximum for the spin axis perpendicular to the axis of shaft I. Forpositions between the two limiting ones just discussed the gyroscopictorque is less than the maximum. Hence if the yroscope at A is perpndicular to the axis of shaft l and C is not, the torque of Apredominates and the net result is a unidirectional torque.

If the torque of the driving shaft l is to be magnified and applied tothe driven shaft 2 the gyroscopes must exert a precessional torque Tabout the precesslonal axis of shafts 4 and I, Figures 2 and 3. Theymust also exert a torque about the axis of shaft I to aid the inputtorque. This is necessary to give a reaction for the magnified torqueabout the processions] axis because the gear I! which transmits theprecessionai torque has teeth oflset from the axis of shaft I and itstooth load can exert a torque about the torque input axis.

In order to get a component of the precessional torque acting about thetorque input axis, the axis of the tilt which is the axis of pins II isskewed from the torque input axis by the angle ,8 (beta) as shown inFigure 2. 7

If the significance of the skewed axis of tilt is viewed with relationto the gyroscope in position C of Figure 3, it will be observed that theskewed axis provides for a component of tilt about an axis perpendicularto the plane of the paper, and a component of tilt about an axis lyingin the plane of the paper. The tilting of the gyroscope about an axisperpendicular to the plane of the paper will destroy the adverse torqueof the gyroscope about the axis of shaft 5; and a tilt of the gyroscopeabout an axis lying in the plane of the paper will destroy anygyroscopic torque opposing the torque of the gyroscope in position Awhich aids the driving torque of shaft i.

Consider, particularly in Figures 2 and 3, that the driven shaft 2 isheld from turning while shaft l is turned. The gyroscopes are spun abouttheir respective spin axes androtated about the axis of shafts 4 and iin a direction opposite to T, Figure 3. In this case due to the rotationabout shaft i there is a torque in the direction of T as before butbecause gear II is fixed the gyroscopes cannot rotate in the direction Tabout the axis of shaft 4. Instead the rolling of gears l2 and i3 forcesthe gyroscopes to rotate in the opposite direction to T, Figure 3. Inforcing the opposite rotation there arises now a new precessional torqueaiding the input torque of shaft i. The torque T is still present andexerting a torque on gear I! but it does not result in a rotation in thedirection T. The resultant torque from the gyroscopic actiononagyroscopelnpomtionaistheresultofadding the torque T about 4 to atorque about the axis of i. The axis of the combined torque aaeaeaewould be about a line perpendicular to the line L in Figure 2. The lineL then lies in the plane of action of the combined torques and the pinsI. transfer the torques to the spider It without putting a load on theconnecting rod 22.

However, again the torque of gyroscope C is adverse to that of A but byproviding for a component of tilt in a plane perpendicular to the torqueinput axis the magnitude of the adverse torque is reduced and that of Aagain preponderates. Thus the gyroscope C should be tilted about an axisskewed to the torque input axis so that there is a component of tiltrelative to both the precessional axis (axis of shaft 4) and the torqueinput axis. The structure providing the skewing has already beendescribed.

In another form of the invention, Figures 6 and 'I. the gyroscope 8a iscomposed of several segments and they are arranged to tilt in such amanner that their axis of spin is always that of the shaft Il'-I inposition A..

Each segment is hinged to the shaft i4'i by the pin Ilb. Each segmentcould also be regarded as a gyroscopic mass or unsymmetrical gyroscope.

Encircling the clevis I1 is the tilting ring lid tilting about the axisof the pins Ilia in the clevis. The rings motion is controlled by thearm 22' and the connecting rod and eccentric already described. The ringhas a groove on the outside into which fit the rollers 20c carriedrotatably on the pins 20d fixed in the segments of the gyroscope. Itwill now be apparent that when the wing is tilted the segments aretilted yet they are free to spin about the spin axis of shaft Il'|.

The Figures 1 to 4 can be read for the gyroscope 80 by simply regardingthe gyroscope 8 7 replaced by 8a.

The gyroscope of Figure 6 must be tilted about an axis transverse to thetorque input and precessional axes in order to produce a unidirectionaltorque for the same reasons which obtained in the preferred form. Thetheory back of the reduction or annihilation of the torque of C is nowhowever different.

In Figure 9 consider the mass m which is rotatable about the axis Bil.Let it represent any element or particle of mass of the gyroscope inposition C. The position m shows the mass acted upon by the centrifugalforce only. The position m shows the mass acted upon by the centrifugalforce Fe and the gyroscopic force Fg. This force is found by dividingthe precessional torque of the mass m by the radius r. (The particle mrotating about is a gyroscope and subject to a precessional torque ifthe axis I10 is tilted.) The mass takes up a position of balance underthe action of these two forces when the moments balance. That is-F.a=F,b (1) or F ,1' cos 9=F sin 6 (2) F =1 tan 0 (3) n tan 0= (3 (5)where o is the angular velocity about the torque input axi (axis ofshaft I) and u is the spin about the spin axis (axis of shaft I4).

It is shown by Equation 5 that the angle 0 depends on the ratio ofangular velocities. However the throw of the eccentric 25 is fixed andconstrains the gyroscope to a definite and unalterable angle of tilt 0.Hence the ratio of o to or should be held constant so that the gyroscopein position C will not be acting against the gyroscope in position A.The method of accomplishing this is now to be described.

If the gear I, Figure 2, were held at rest while shaft I was turning,the gyroscopes would receive a spin from the rolling of gear 8 on gear Iand also, since shaft 2 is held, another increment of spin, because thegear l2 would roll on gear II carrying gears III around gear 8 in a.direction opposite to its rotation imposed by gear 6. on the other handif shaft 2 is free to turn at the same rate as I there is no addedincrement of spin from gear I2 rolling on I3. Thus it is apparent thatthe spin does not normally bear a constant ratio to the angular velocityof shaft I. It could however if gear I were turned in the direction ofshaft I at a suflicient rate to compensate for any spin arising from therolling of gear I2 on gear II.

The gear train 28 in Figure 2 serves the purpose of keeping the ratio 0to in constant. A bevel gear 29 is fixed to the case Ia and is in meshwith the pinion 30 on the same shaft 33 with gear 3| which is in meshwith bevel gear 32 fixed to the driven shaft 2. Hence the degree ofrestraint applied to shaft 2 determines the rate of rotation of gear I.When shaft 2 begins to turn, the spin from gear I2 decreases but iscompensated by gear I being turned against gear 6 to achieve a greaterspin through the train 8, 8 and Ill. Thus the gear train 28 keeps theratio of n to a: constant.

The shaft 33 is of course rotatable in suitable bearings 34a and 34fixed to proper supports.

The torque converter is particularly adapted to operation with anexplosion engine as for instance the oil engine of an automobile.

With the automobile stationary the engine rotates shaft I in thedirection a. Gear I is at first stationary and the rolling of gear 6thereon spins the gyroscopes. Furthermore since gear I3 is alsostationary, gear I2 and the shell II are rotated resulting in thegearsI0 being rotated against gear ll with a consequent increase in thespinof the gyroscopes. Because of the spin 0: and the impressed rotationu there is a gyroscopic torque for a gyroscope in position A ofmagnitude T which iswhere Ip is the polar moment of inertia of gyroscopeA.

Still no power is expended except to overcome friction in the mechanismbecause power is the product of torque and angular velocity and as yetthe driven shaft is not turning. The torque is not zero and so there isa torque applied to the driven shaft 2. The engine is enabled to rotatethe gear l2 against this torque because the rota tion of the gyroscopesabout the axis of shaft 4 produces a torque in the same direction as theengine torque.

As the speed of the engine increases the torque T increases until it islarge enough to turn shaft 2 which extends to the axle of the car andturns it. As the car gets under way the gear I is turned against gear 6so that the spin on always has a constant ratio to the angular velocityof the driving shaft. Finally the speed increases so that the torque ofthe gyroscopes is large enough so that gear I! does not roll on gear IS.The drive is then 1 to 1 between shafts I and 2.

The mechanism is suitable for power transmission in all types ofmachinery to act as a coupling or as a variable speed or variable torquedevice. For instance it may be used for electric motors, the coupling ofsteam turbine and expansion engines, and for the driving of machinetools and production machinery. These are only a few of the many uses.

It is to be noted that when the gyroscopic masses 8a are oscillatedabout the axes oi the pins llb they are also oscillated relative to theprecessional axis, the axis of shafts I and i, for any position of themasses about the spin axis.

While I have illustrated certain specific forms of the invention it isto be understood that I do not limit myself to these exact forms butintend to claim my invention broadly.

What is claimed is:

1. In a mechanism in combination a driving element rotatable about atorque input axis, a driven member, a mass, means including said drivinelement and said driven member for mounting said mass for simultaneousrotations about three mutually transverse axes namely said torque inputaxis, a spin axis and a precessional axis and for imparting aunidirectional spin to said mass about the spin axis, said first namedmeans including a supporting means for said mass adapting it for both acontrolled oscillation relative to the precessional axis and a rotationthereabout, cam means to oscillate said mass relative to theprecessional axis in coordination with the rotation of the mass aboutthe torque input axis to produce a unidirectional torque, said drivenmember being adapted to receive said torque.

2. In a mechanism the combination of a mass,

a driving element, a driven element, mounting means for mounting saidmass for simultaneous rotations about three mutually transverse axesnamely a spin axis, a precessional axis about which the driven elementis rotatable, and a torque input axis about which the driving elementrotates, means for rotating said mounting means by said driving element,means for imparting a unidirectional spin to said mass about the spinaxis, said mounting means being adapted for the tilting of said massabout a fourth axis transverse to said spin axis, means to oscillatesaid mass about said fourth axis in coordinated relation with itsrotation about the precessional axis whereby the mass produces apreponderance of torque in one direction, said means to oscillate beinoperably connected to said driven element to derive oscillation powertherefrom, said mass being substantially rigid against forces directedalong the spin axis, said mounting means being adapted for theapplication of the precessional torque to the driven element.

3. In a mechanism the combination of a mass, a driving element, a drivenelement, mounting means for mounting said mass for simultaneousrotations about three mutually transverse axes namely a spin 'axis, aprecessional axis about which the mass can precess through a completeturn about the precessional axis as a result of the rotation about aspin axis and a torque input axis, and a torque input axis about whichthe driving element rotates, spinning means including said drivenelement for imparting a spin to the said mass about the spin axis, meansto govern the rotation of the gyroscopic mass relative to one of saidaxes to produce a unidirectional precessional torque, and means operablyconnecting said spinnin means with said driven element to establish asubstantially constant ratio between the rate of spin of said mass aboutthe spin axis and the rate of rotation about the torque input axis, andmeans for the application of said precessional torque to the drivenelement, said means to mount providing a substantially ilxed angularrelation between said torque input axis and said precessional axis.

4. In a mechanism the combination of a mass, a driving element, a drivenelement, mounting means for mounting said mass for simultaneousrotations about three mutually transverse axes namely a spin axis, aprecessional axis about which the driven element is rotatable, and atorque input axis about which the driving element rotates, means forrotating said mass about said input axis by said driving member, meansfor imparting a spin to the said mass about the spin axis, said mountingmeans being adapted for the tilting of said mass about a fourth axissubstantially transverse to each of said three axes, and means to tiltsaid mass relative to the driven element about the fourth axis incoordination with its rotation about the precessional axis to produce aunidirectional precessional torque, said mounting means being adapted toapply said precessional torque to the driven element and being adaptedior the complete revolution of the mass about the precessional axis,said spin axis always being substantially transverse to the axis ofrotation of said driven element.

5. In a gyroscope torque converter a driving element, a precessionalmember, a gyroscopic mass, means for mounting said mass for simultaneousrotations about three mutually transverse axes, namely a torque inputaxis, a spin axis and a precessional axis and for imparting a spin tosaid mass about the spin axis, means for rotating said mass about saidinput axis by said driving element, and a part pivotally supported onsaid precessional member and defining a fourth axis transverse to saidspin axis and to said precessional axis, said first named meansincluding said precessional member and said part and adapting said massfor controlled inclination about said fourth axis relative to saidprecessional member, and means to incline said mass relative to saidprecessional member in coordination with its rotation about theprecessional axis so that said member is subject chiefly to aunidirectional torque arising from the rotation of said mass about thetorque input and spin axes, said mounting means being adapted to fix thedirection of the fourth axis relative to said precessional axis.

6. In a mechanism in combination a driving element rotating about atorque input axis, a mass, a supporting member for said mass, meansincluding said member for mounting said mass for simultaneous rotationsabout three mutually transverse axes namely said torque input axis, aspin axis and a precessional axis and for imparting a unidirectionalspin to said mass about the spin axis, means for rotatin said mass aboutsaid input axis by said driving element, said supporting member beingadapted for oscillating with said mass relative to said means formounting, a connecting rod connecting said member to said means iormounting, said rod being variably connected at both its ends and at oneend at least for rotations relative to said member about at least twomutually transverse axes. and means to oscillate said connecting rodwhereby to produce a unidirectional torque of said mass applied to saidiirst named means.

'1. In a mechanism, in combination, a driving element rotating about atorque input axis, a mass, a precesslonal member rotatable about theprecessional axis, mean including said memberior mounting said mass forsimultaneous rotations about three mutually transverse axes, namely saidtorque input axis, a spin axis and a precessional axis and for impartinga unidirectional spin to said mass about the spin axis, means forrotating said mass about said input axis, said mounting means beingadapted for the oscillation of said mass relative to said precessionalmember, and means to oscillate the said mass relative to saidprecessional member so that the mass is given a preassigned displacementalong a major portion of the path between the limits oi said oscillationin coordination with the rotation of the mass about the preoesslonalaxis, whereby to make the precessional torque of said massunidirectional, said precessional member being adapted to receive saidtorque.

8. In a mechanism the combination of a mass, a driving element,precessional element, mounting means including said precessional elementfor mounting said mass for simultaneous rotations about three mutuallytransverse axes namely a spin axis, a precessional axis about which theprecessional element is rotatable and a torque input axis about whichthe driving element rotates, means for imparting a unidirectional spinto the mass about the spin axis, means for rotating said mass about saidinput axis by said driving element, said mounting means being adaptedfor the oscillation of said mass relative to the precessional axis andsaid precessional element, and means driven by the precessional elementto give said mass said oscillation in coordination with its rotationabout the precessional axis to produce a preponderance of precessionaltorque in one direction about the precessional axis, said precessionalelement being adapted to receive the precessional torque of said mass.

9. In a mechanism the combination of a mass, 9. precessional member, a.driving e1ement,mounting means including said precessional member formounting said mass for simultaneous rotations about three mutuallytransverse axes namely a spin axis, a precessional axis about which theprecessional member is rotatable, and a. torque input axis about whichthe driving element rotates, means for imparting a unidirectional spinto the said mass about the spin axis, means tor rotating said mass aboutsaid input axis by said driving element, an actuating part adapted toderive power from said driving element, means to oscillate said massrelative to said precessional member including said part which isvariably connected at its ends, said means to oscillate being adapted togovern said oscillation of said mass in accordance with its rotationabout the precessionai axis whereby to produce a unidirectional torque,said mounting means being adapted for a complete turn of the mass aboutthe precessional axis and to fix the direction of the precessional axisrelative to the torque input axis and for the application of said torqueto the precessional member.

10. In a variable speed gear, a driving shalt rotatable about a torqueinput axis, a driven shaft, gyroscope mass, means supporting saidgyroscope mass on said driving shaft (or bodily rotation therewith andfor rotation about three mutually transverse axes namely said torqueinput axis, a precessional axis and a spin axis, means for imparting aunidirectional spin to said gyroscope mass about the spin axis, andmeans to oscillate said gyroscope mass relative to said precessionalaxis in coordination with its rotation thereabout whereby the netprecesslonal torque of said mass thereabout is made unidirectional, saidgyroscope mass being adapted to make a complete precessional turn aboutthe precessional axis, said driven shaft being adapted to receive saidprecessional torque the center of said mass being onset substantialLvfrom the precessional axis.

11. In combination in a variable speed mechanism, a driving shaft, aprecessional element, a mass, a supporting member adapted foroscillating motion and for supporting said mass for oscillation about anaxis relative to said precessional element and pivotally supporting saidmass for spinning about an axis, mounting means including said memberfor mounting said mass (or simultaneous rotations about three mutuallytransverse axes namely a torque input axis, a preces-' sional axis andsaid spin axis, means for imparting a spin to said mass about the spinaxis, means for rotating said mass about said input axis by the drivingelement, and a plurality of parts joined to each other and connectingsaid member to said mounting means to oscillate said mass incoordination with its rotation about the precessional axis and relativeto the precessional element, each oi at least two or said plurality ofparts having variable connections at both its ends, said precessionalelement being adapted to receive the precessional torque of said massresulting from the rotation about the torque input and spin axes, theoscillation 01' said supporting member and said mass making the saidprecessional torque applied to said precessional element unidirectional.

12. In a gyroscopic torque converter, a driving shaft rotatable about atorque input axis, a precessional shalt, a gyroscopic mass, means forsupporting said pxecessionai shaft for rotation about a precessionalaxis transverse to said torque input axis, mounting means including saidprecessional shaft for mounting said mass for simultaneous rotationsabout three mutually transverse axes namely said torque input axis, aprecessional axis about which the precessional shait rotates and a spinaxis, means for rotating said mass about said input axis by said drivingelement, means for imparting a unidirectional spin to said mass aboutthe spin axes, said means for mounting defining an oscillation having asubstantially fixed direction transverse to said precessional axis andto said torque input axis, said means for mounting providing for theoscillation oi said mass relative to said precessional shaft about saidoscillation axis so that a gyroscopic torque is applied to saidprecessional shaft and to said driving shaft to aid its rotation, andmeans to govern said oscillation in coordination with the rotation ofthe mass about the precessional axis so that the said torques areunidirectional, said shafts being adapted to receive said torques.

13. In a gyroscopic torque converter, a driving element, a precessionalmember, a. gyroscopic mass, means ior mounting said mass forsimultaneous rotations about each axis a set of three mutuallytransverse axes constituting the basic axes for gyroscopic actions andreactions namely a torque input axis about which said driving elementrotates, a precessional axis about which the said member is rotatable,and a spin axis about which the mass spins, said precessional axis oisaid set having a fixed attitude relative to said torque input axis,means for imparting a spin to said mass about said spin axis, means forrotating said mass about said input axis by said driving element, saidmounting means being adapted for the oscillation of said mass relativeto said member, and means to oscillate the said mass relative to saidmember in coordination with its rotation about the preemsionai axis toproduce a preponderance 0! precessional torque in one direction aboutthe precessional axis.

14. In a mechanism, in combination, a driving element rotating about atorque input axis, a mass, 0. precessional member rotatable about theprecessional axis, a driven element rotatable about an axis, meansincluding said member for mounting said mass for simultaneous rotationsabout three mutually transverse axes namely said torque input axis, aspin axis and a precessional axis and for imparting a unidirectionalspin to said mass about the spin axis, means for rotating said massabout said input axis by said driving element, said mounting means beingadapted for the oscillation of said mass relative to said precessionalmember, means to govern said oscillation in coordination with therotation of the mass about said precessional axis so thataunidirectional torque is applied to said precessional member by saidmass, said mounting means being adapted so that said precessional axisand the said axis of said driven element have a substantially iixedattitude relative to each other, and means to transmit the torque fromsaid member to said driven element, said mass being substantially rigidaEainst deforming forces directed along the spin axis.

15. In a gyroscopic torque converter, a mass, a driving shaft rotatableabout a torque input axis, a precessional member rotatable about aprecessional axis, mounting means including said member for mountingsaid mass for simultaneous rotations about three mutually transverseaxes namely said torque input axis, said precessional axis and a spinaxis, means for rotating said mass about said input axis by said drivingshaft. means for imparting a spin to said mass about the spin axis, saidmounting means being adapted for the oscillation of said mass relativeto said precessional member about an axis transverse to saidprecessional axis, and means to coordinate the said oscfllation oi themass with its rotation about the saidprecessionalaxissothatsaidmasshasthesame rate of rotation as saidprecessional member throughout a major portion of the rotation aboutsaid precessional axis and so that the precessional torque applied tosaid member is unidirectional, said precessional member being adapted toreceive the precessional torque of said mass.

16. In a gyroscopic torque converter, a driving element, a precessionalelement, a mass, a control member rotatably connected to said mass andadapted for oscillating motion, means including said precessionalelement for molmting said mass for simultaneous rotations about threemutuallytransveueaxesnamelyatorqminput axis about which said drivingelement rotates, a precessional axis about which said precessionalelement rotates, and a spin axis, means for rotating said mass about thesaid input axis by said driving element, means ior imparting aunidirectional spin tosaid mass about said spin axis, and a partoperably connected to said control member and said driving element toderive oscillating power from said driving element to oscillate saidmass relative to said precessional element whereby said mass delivers aunidirectional torque to said precessional element.

17. In a gyroscopic torque converter, a mass, a driving elementrotatable about a torque input axis. a precessional member rotatableabout a precessional axis, mounting means including said member formounting said mass for simultaneous rotations about three mutuallytransverse axes namely said torque input axis, saidprecessionalaxisandaspinaxinmeanatorrotating said mass about the saidinput axis by said driving element, means ior imparting a unidirectionalspintosaidmaasaboutthespinaxmsaid mounting means adapting said mass foroscillation relative to said precessional member, and variable meansoperably interconnecting said mass and said driving element to oscillatesaid mass relative to said p member in coordination with the rotation ofthe mass about the precessional axis, said variable means providing forthe simultaneous rotations of said mass about said torque input axis andsaid precessional axis, said variable means providing for theself-propelled rotation of said mass about the precessional axis.

18. Inamechanism,thecomb1nat1ono! amass, a driving element, a drivenelement. mounting means including said driving element for mounting saidmass for simultaneous rotations about three mutually transverse axesnamely a spin axis, a precessional axis, and a torque input axis aboutwhich the driving element rotates, spinning means including said drivingelement for impartingaspintothesaidmassaboutthespin axis, said mountingmeans being adapted for the tilting of said mass relative to saidprecessional axisaboutaiourthaxistransversetosaidspin axis, means totilt the gyroseopic mass about said fourth axis through a substantiallyconstant angle relative to said precessional axis producing aunidirectional torque, said mounting means being adapted iorprecessional rotation through a complete turn of said mass about saidprecessional axis under the action or its precessional torquesimultaneously with the rotation about the torque input axis, and meansoperably connecting said spinning means with said driven element so thatsaid driven element governs the spin of said mass and establishes aconstant ratio between the rate of spin oi said mass about the spin axisand its rate of rotation about the torque input axis for various ratesof rotation of said driven element, and means to apply the saidunidirectional torque to the driven element.

19. In a mechanism the combination oi a mass. a precessional member, adriving element. mounting means including said onal member for mountingsaid mass for simultaneous rotations about three mutually transverseaxes namely a srdn axis, a ponal axis about which the precessionalmember is rotatable, and a torque input axis about which the drivingelement rotates, means for imparting a unidirectional spin to the saidmass about the spin axis,

asaaeae means for rotating said mass about said input axis by saiddriving element, an actuating part adapted to derive power from saiddriving element, means to oscillate said mass relative to saidprecessional member including said part which is variably connected atits ends, said means to oscillate being adapted to govern saidoscillation of said mass in accordance with its rotation about theprecessional axis whereby to produce a unidirectional torque, saidmounting means being adapted for a complete precessional turn of themass about the precessional axis and for fixing the direction 01' theprecessional axis relative to the torque input axis and for theapplication of said unidirectional torque to the precessional member.

20. In a variable speed gear, a driving shaft rotatable about a torqueinput axis, a driven shaft. a gyroscopie mass, means supporting saidgyroscopie mass on said driving shaft for bodily rotation therewith andfor rotation about three mutually transverse axes namely said torqueinput axis, a precessional axis and a spin axis, means for rotating saidmass about said input axis by said driving element, means for impartinga unidirectional spin to said gyroscopic mass about the spin axis, andmeans to oscillate said mass relative to said precessional axis incoordination with its rotation thereabout whereby the net precessionaltorque of said mass thereabout is made unidirectional, said gyroscopicmass being adapted to make a complete precessional turn about theprecessional axis, said driven shaft being adapted to receive saidprecessional torque, the center of said mass being offset substantiallyEDWARD A. STALKER.

Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,389,826.

November 27, 1945.

EDWARD A. STALKER It is hereby certified that error appears numberedpatent requiring correction as follows: Page in the printedspecification of the above 7, second column, line 17,

claim 20 after the word substantially insert from the precessional aria;and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correctiontherein that the same may conform to the record of the case in thePatent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 14th day of May, A. D. 1946.

[SEAL] LESLIE FRAZER,

First Assistant Commissioner of Patents.

asaaeae means for rotating said mass about said input axis by saiddriving element, an actuating part adapted to derive power from saiddriving element, means to oscillate said mass relative to saidprecessional member including said part which is variably connected atits ends, said means to oscillate being adapted to govern saidoscillation of said mass in accordance with its rotation about theprecessional axis whereby to produce a unidirectional torque, saidmounting means being adapted for a complete precessional turn of themass about the precessional axis and for fixing the direction 01' theprecessional axis relative to the torque input axis and for theapplication of said unidirectional torque to the precessional member.

20. In a variable speed gear, a driving shaft rotatable about a torqueinput axis, a driven shaft. a gyroscopie mass, means supporting saidgyroscopie mass on said driving shaft for bodily rotation therewith andfor rotation about three mutually transverse axes namely said torqueinput axis, a precessional axis and a spin axis, means for rotating saidmass about said input axis by said driving element, means for impartinga unidirectional spin to said gyroscopic mass about the spin axis, andmeans to oscillate said mass relative to said precessional axis incoordination with its rotation thereabout whereby the net precessionaltorque of said mass thereabout is made unidirectional, said gyroscopicmass being adapted to make a complete precessional turn about theprecessional axis, said driven shaft being adapted to receive saidprecessional torque, the center of said mass being offset substantiallyEDWARD A. STALKER.

Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,389,826.

November 27, 1945.

EDWARD A. STALKER It is hereby certified that error appears numberedpatent requiring correction as follows: Page in the printedspecification of the above 7, second column, line 17,

claim 20 after the word substantially insert from the precessional aria;and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correctiontherein that the same may conform to the record of the case in thePatent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 14th day of May, A. D. 1946.

[SEAL] LESLIE FRAZER,

First Assistant Commissioner of Patents.

